It's always best to wear a bow tie, however, not all black tie events are created equally. A man going to a corporate awards ceremony, or a charity event that's similarly formal, would do well to stick to the unimprovable classic - a black bow tie made from the same kind of silk that's on his jackets lapels. However, if he's going to a private party there's more room for manouvre; other first-class options include black, dark blue, claret, or bottle green velvet bows. Whatever the fabric, ties look infinitely better if they're self-tying, rather than clip-on, and it's easy to spot the difference.